Lightweight replacement machine heads (tuners) for Mustang bass reissue

Those hip shot ultra lights look like a good solution. I think someone makes ultra lights that are exact Fender style replacements? I really went to extremes on a cheap short scale SX P-bass. I shaved the head stock down similar to the shape of a tele-bass. Then I replaced the Fender style tuners with mini style Gotoh tuners. The local repair shop suggested using drum sticks to plug the larger tunning peg holes and then re-drilling them. Instead I found the mini's fit snugly inside the ferrals from the Fender style tuners. It cost me a little weight but made the job easier. I'm lazy and it solved the problem.
So if you try that, the only new holes you are making are for the screws on the back of the headstock.

I would suggest not removeing any mass from the headstock.
I think it is there for a good reason.
It is my theory that it adds to the tone and sustain of the bass .
Of course, I could be wrong, but is it that important to go ahead with all that work, only
to find out after the fact ?

I like a nice suede strap myself, to help counteract neck dive.
It grips quite nicely instead of slideing around.

There are conflicting opinions about weather headstock mass adds sustain. Some companies install steel plates or sell clamp on weights. Other companies say it robs energy and make small headstocks. Don't forget about headless basses. I was willing to experiment with a cheap bass. I don't notice any difference in sound or sustain after cutting off quite a bit of wood and installing lighter tuners. The bass balances much better, so I think it was a success. I wouldn't have tried it on an expensive bass though.
One luthier suggested raising the rear strap button about an inch, but I didn't find that to help.
Rough suede straps are grippy and may cut down on some neck dive, but when the bass does dive down, it makes it harder to slide it back up into place?
I had a mustang for a few years and the neck dive was one of the reasons I sold it.

seems like you could add weight to the body (as low on the body as possible) to counterbalance the neck.

Some type of heavy metal plate could be stuck onto the back

I personally don't find the neck dive too objectionable but I use a wide fender strap that seems to have just enough friction to keep the neck up ok.

I played a Mustang for several years in the late 60's. I used a leather strap with a rough back that gripped my shoulder. I never noticed any neck dive issues with that strap. Simple and cheap solution.

There's something SERIOUSLY wrong with the weight citations on that review linked in the first post.

5896 grams = 208 ounces = 13 pounds. I refuse to believe that "The Fender tuners, collars and screws weighed in at 5896 grams."

The reviewer says the Hipshot Ultralights weighed 2917 grams = 103 ounces = 6.4 pounds. No way!!

I'm not accusing him of lying, but there is something extremely wrong with his measuring ability and math. There's no way a set of four tuners weighs 6 pounds, much less 13. they'd have to come with their own decorative bowling ball to hang from the headstock. Heck, the entire Mustang bass probably weighs about 6 pounds.

I know the hipshots are lighter, but this makes no sense at all. Also, on his Mustang bass the center of balance moved from the 17th to the 18th fret. I have no idea why that would be a meaningful data point, but I'm satisfied that he cares about it.

All I can suggest is to do more homework on ACTUAL weights of the original tuners and whatever replacements you have in mind. If the weight reduction is less than 6 ounces, I don't think I'd spend $100 or more on it.

My suggestion? The Mustang bass is very light. Get some adhesive wheel weights at a tire shop and stick about four ounces of weight on the back side of the bass down by the strap button. if needed, add more weight until you are at 10-12 ounces, but I bet it won't take that much. Your balance will be perfect and it will cost less than $10 and two minutes of your time.

Here's where I hid the weight on my Jay Turser '51 P clone...11 ounces added, perfect balance achieved, total instrument weight about 7.5 pounds including tire weights.

The Mustang Bass reissue is about 8lbs total at most.

The use of tire weights is a great idea.

FYI- the UltraLites have a cloverleaf button option to match Fender machines.

Hooveoperator said:

Think the measurements in the link are just missing a decimal point - makes much more sense that way anyway. 5896 becomes 589.6.

Interesting idea with the tire weights.

Click to expand...

AH! That would make sense. I'll leave it to those who are directly interested to do the math. There are plenty of internet conversion sites where one can plug in the numbers and get the actual conversion.

I changed the tuners in my '82 Jazz to Hipshot Ultralites and saved a total of 6.8 ounces - almost 1/2 lb.

From Stemac.com page:

". . . These tuners [Ultralites] weigh 1.8 oz. each, compared to approx 2.3 oz. for a sealed Gotoh and 3.5 oz. for a Schaller style tuners [Fender-style]."


To take 1/2 lb off a bass' headstock makes a huge difference. The Hipshots fit nicely on Fender headstocks. There is a bit of extra room, but the guide screw plus the washer in the posts makes for a tight fit. You need the 1/2" model.

Great thread. I just came across this. I love TalkBass.

When I installed hipshot ultralites on mia p bass, they introduced some deadspots on the E string. Stock mia tuners seem to hold tune better as well. I was a bit disappointed with ultralites with their 'not so solid' feeling.

Do what I did and move the strap button to the lower horn. The bass will not want to move to horizontal as much and you will be able to play the bass at nearly vertical if u want.

Actually... my motivation was not to eliminate neck diving, but to get some better quality tuners on my Mustang. I installed Hipshots HB7's on my P-bass & HB2's on my J-bass. Ever since then... I can't stand the feel of stock tuners. I just want something with a little better quality. I don't mind re-drilling the mounting holes, but I don't want to re-drill the peg holes.